Since I was young, I’ve always been a visual learner, drawn to the details in how people move through the world and the funny quirks in how people interact. My capstone project, Finders Keepers, explores the culture and community behind the estate sale industry, a $2 billion business in the U.S. I started going to estate sales with my mom in 2019, and they’ve become a regular part of my life as my entire family has bonded over them through shared humor and curiosity. 

 

Each estate sale becomes a personal diary, offering a glimpse into someone’s life and revealing niche collections that spark a sense of familiarity in strangers. These homes offer a unique window into American culture and the lives people build across generations. These unexpected connections inspired me to write original stories, photograph the people and objects I encountered, and interview those who shape this secondhand community. Through a branded podcast and photo book I highlight business owners running estate sale companies, art collectors, board game collectors, and dedicated shoppers who spend their weekends visiting homes. Overall, the project highlights how forgotten belongings can carry meaning and how storytelling, in its many forms, connects people across time and shared experiences.